nitrogen

Forest economics: Why are fallen alder leaves still green?

Most of the leaves on the ground are brown, yellow, or other fall colors. Why are many alder leaves still green?

In the fall, why are alder leaves on the forest floor still green?

In the fall, leaves on alder trees remain stubbornly green, even after they fall to the forest floor. This is because alder trees do not remove the green chlorophyll from the leaves before sending them to "recycling." Why not?